Begonia plant named ‘Kerbespicup’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Begonia  plant named ‘Kerbespicup’, characterized by its broadly upright to semi-trailing plant habit; roughly globular in plant form; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; fragrant flowers; and large mostly double-type and occasional single-type flowers that are bright yellow in color.

Botanical designation: Begonia x tuberhybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘KERBESPICUP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begoniaplant, botanically known as Begonia x tuberhybrida and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘Kerbespicup’.

The new Begonia plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventors in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The objectiveof the breeding program is to create new Begonia plants with uniformplant habit and numerous attractive flowers.

The new Begonia plant is a naturally-occurring branch mutation ofBegonia x tuberhybrida ‘Kerbespicit’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.29,308. The new Begonia plant was discovered and selected by theInventors on a single flowering plant from within a population of plantsof ‘Kerbespicit’ in a controlled greenhouse environment in Cambridge,United Kingdom in June, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia plant by terminal vegetativecuttings taken in a controlled greenhouse environment in Cambridge,United Kingdom since June, 2016 has shown that the unique features ofthis new Begonia plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Begonia have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Kerbespicup’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Kerbespicup’ as a new and distinct Begoniaplant:

-   -   1. Broadly upright to semi-trailing plant habit; roughly        globular in plant form.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely basal branching habit.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit.    -   6. Fragrant flowers.    -   7. Large mostly double-type and occasional single-type flowers        that are bright yellow in color.

Plants of the new Begonia differ primarily from plants of the mutationparent, ‘Kerbespicit’, in flower color as plants of the new Begonia havedarker yellow-colored flowers than plants of ‘Kerbespicit’.

Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of Begonia xtuberhybrida ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons conducted in Cambridge, United Kingdom, plants of the newBegonia differed primarily from plants of ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’ inthe following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Begonia are more upright than plants of        ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’.    -   2. Plants of the new Begonia have thinner stems than plants of        ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’.    -   3. Plants of the new Begonia are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’.    -   4. Plants of the new Begonia are more freely flowering than        plants of ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’.    -   5. Plants of the new Begonia have smaller flowers than plants of        ‘Fragrant Falls Lemon Fizz’.

Plants of the new Begonia can also be compared to plants of Begonia xtuberhybrida ‘Scentiment Sunrise’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons conducted in Cambridge, United Kingdom, plants of the newBegonia differed primarily from plants of ‘Scentiment Sunrise’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Begonia are more trailing than and not as        upright as plants of ‘Scentiment Sunrise’.    -   2. Plants of the new Begonia are more freely flowering than        plants of ‘Scentiment Sunrise’.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Begonia are not as pendulous as        flowers of plants of ‘Scentiment Sunrise’.    -   4. Plants of the new Begonia have smaller flowers than plants of        ‘Scentiment Sunrise’.    -   5. Plants of the new Begonia have bright yellow-colored flowers        whereas plants of ‘Scentiment Sunrise’ have light orange-colored        flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Begonia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Begonia plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) comprises a sideperspective view of a typical plant of ‘Kerbespicup’ grown in acontainer.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close up view oftypical leaves and male double-type and female single-type flowers of‘Kerbespicup’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the autumn and winter inLoudon, N.H. with three plants in 21.6-cm containers in a glass-coveredgreenhouse in Loudon, N.H. and under cultural practices typical ofcommercial Begonia production. During the production of the plants,average daily temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. Plants werepinched six weeks after planting and were 15 weeks from planting whenthe photographs and description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except were general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. Measurements were taken onindividual plants.

-   Botanical classification: Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘Kerbespicup’.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of Begonia x    tuberhybrida ‘Kerbespicit’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,308.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 10 days at            temperatures about 21° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 15 days at            temperatures about 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About three            weeks at temperatures about 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About four            weeks at temperatures about 21° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically white in color,            actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation,            substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density; plants of            the new Begonia have not been observed to form tubers to            date.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant habit and form.—Broadly upright to semi-trailing plant            habit; roughly globular in plant form.        -   Growth habit.—Moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate            growth rate; suitable for 9-cm and larger containers.        -   Branching habit.—Freely basal branching habit, typically            about three to five basal branches develop per plant; dense            and bushy plant habit.        -   Plant height.—About 10 cm.        -   Plant width.—About 17 cm.        -   Basal branches.—Length: About 9 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm.            Internode length: About 1.7 cm to 1.9 cm. Aspect: Mostly            erect. Strength: Strong, flexible, bending with the weight            of the flowers. Texture and luster: Moderately pubescent;            slightly glossy. Color, developing: Close to 148A; at the            internodes, close to 183A. Color, developed: Close to 184A            variably overlain with close to 183A.        -   Leaves.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length: About            15.5 cm. Width: About 7 cm. Shape: Obliquely cordate. Apex:            Long acuminate. Base: Oblique cordate, lobes typically free            to occasionally imbricate. Margin: Serrate; not undulate.            Texture and luster, upper surface: Sparsely pubescent;            slightly velvety; semi-glossy. Texture and luster, lower            surface: Mostly glabrous with pubescent along venation;            slightly velvety; semi-glossy. Venation pattern: Palmate.            Color: Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 147A            variably overlain with close to 187A to 187B. Developing            leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A variably overlain with            close to 183A to 183B. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface:            Close to between 147A and N189A; venation, close to 144A and            146A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A            variably overlain with close to 183A to 183B; venation,            close to 144A and 146A. Petioles: Length: About 2.5 cm to            2.75 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm by 5 mm. Texture and luster,            upper and lower surfaces: Moderately pubescent; slightly            glossy. Strength: Strong, flexible. Color, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to 148A variably overlain with close to            183A. Stipules: Quantity and appearance: Two leafy stipules            positioned at base of the leaf petiole. Length: About            1.2 cm. Width: About 7 mm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex: Acute.            Base: Truncate. Margins: Finely ciliate. Texture and luster,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; moderately            glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower form and flowering habit.—Large rotate flowers            arranged in axillary clusters with typically two or three            flowers per cluster; flowers face outwardly to slightly            nodding and are positioned at, above and beyond the foliar            plane; flowers mostly double-types and occasionally            single-types develop.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower continuously from            the spring into the autumn in New Hampshire.        -   Flower longevity.—Individual flowers last about ten days on            the plant; flowers not persistent.        -   Fragrance.—Fragrant, lemon-like.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 2 cm.            Shape: Lenticular, flattened. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; velvety; semi-glossy. Color: Close to between 144A            and 146A.        -   Male flowers.—Diameter: About 3 cm. Depth: About 3.5 cm.            Shape: Double, almost spherical. Tepals and tepaloids:            Quantity and arrangement: About 60 to 80 arranged in            numerous whorls. Length, outer whorl: About 2.5 cm to            2.8 cm. Width, outer whorl: About 2.3 cm to 2.5 cm. Shape:            Spatulate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire, not            undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; somewhat velvety; slightly glossy. Color:            When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 8D; towards            the base, close to 144A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close            to 9A, towards the base, close to 144A; venation, similar to            lamina; color does not change with development. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 8C; venation, similar to            lamina; color does not change with development.        -   Female flowers.—Diameter: About 4 cm to 4.5 cm. Depth: About            1.8 cm to 2.2 cm. Shape: Single, rotate. Tepals: Quantity            and arrangement: Five in a single whorl; no tepaloids            develop on female flowers. Length: About 2.5 cm to 2.8 cm.            Width: About 2.3 cm to 2.5 cm. Shape: Spatulate. Apex:            Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire, not undulate. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            somewhat velvety; slightly glossy. Color: When opening,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 8D; towards the base,            close to 144A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 9A,            towards the base, close to 144A; venation, similar to            lamina; color does not change with development. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 8C; venation, similar to            lamina; color does not change with development.        -   Flower bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: Two positioned at            the top of the peduncle. Length: About 1.8 cm. Width: About            2.7 cm. Shape: Roughly reniform. Apex: Obtuse. Base:            Cordate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color, upper            surface: Close to 144A. Color, lower surface: Close to            between 144A and 146A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 2.4 cm to 2.8 cm. Diameter: About            3 mm. Angle: Outward to slightly drooping. Strength:            Flexible, bending with the weight of the flowers. Texture            and luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color:            Close to N144A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Stamen development has not            been observed on male or double-type flowers and not            observed on female or single-type flowers. Pistils (present            on female flowers only): Quantity per flower: About six,            fused in pairs. Pistil length: About 4 mm. Style length:            About 3.5 mm. Style color: Close to 12A. Stigma diameter:            About 2.5 mm by 2 mm, irregular in shape. Stigma color:            Close to 12A. Ovary color: Close to 144A.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Begonia.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, resistance to pathogens and    pests common to Begonia plants has not been observed on plants of    the new Begonia.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Begonia plant named ‘Kerbespicup’as illustrated and described.